Patrol to Pajero

[KEVMASH]

Hi all
Have been reading this forum for a while now but this is my first post. Iv'e jumped ship from the patrol 4x4 forum.
I currently own a 2003 gu Patrol. Great car but i'm a bit worried about the zd30 motor after all I have read about them.
I am planning a trip to the kimberleys next year and i don't want to be worried if i am going to melt a piston or something all the way.
Have been reading around forums of different makes and models of 4WDs and the Pajero seems to have by far the least major common problems of them all. I have owned quite a few 4WDs over the years, a few nissans a couple of land rovers and even a subaru and i must admit i never really considered a pajero. The more i read on this forum the more i like them.

I plan to sell the patrol and use the money to buy a nm/np diesel pajero and do a few mods if it dosn't already have them. ie. bullbar, snorkle, dual batteries, 50mm lift.

I would love the 3.2 but don't know if the dollars will stretch far enough, so i was wondering about the 2.8. Iv'e read somewhere that they are a bit underpowered (not that i want a sports car, i just want to be able to overtake safely if the need arises). I only tow a camper trailer.
So i'm looking for advise from those in the know. What do the 2.8 owners think?
Looking forward to your replies. Keep up the good work on this forum guys.
Thanks in advance
Kev

[Gus]

Welcome to the forum Kev, I can't speak for the 2.8 in the NM except to say a mate has 1 & tows a Jayco Outback van & hasn't any complaints.

In saying that the 3.2DID is the way to go... (in my opinion).

And going from the Patrol to either you'll find them far more comfortable on road & with the mods your talking of getting very capable off road too..

Gus.

[psproule]

Ha! I like to spy on the Patrol forum. Forgive me but it's entertaining watching ZD30 owners who didn't research (read forums) before buying one write for their first post "Hi, I bought a GU with a ZD30 and recently it made a loud noise, blew clouds of smoke and stopped dead. Now I need a new motor and Nissan wont help at all, has anyone else had this happen." Again - apologies. I'd probably have one if it wasn't for the same concerns as you.

I dont own a 2.8 but having driven a couple could I politely suggest that the 3.2 is probably closer (or slightly better) in terms of performance than your ZD30. I'd imagine the 2.8 to be a bit of a disappointment in comparison. The 3.2 is strong, very reliable if you change the top timing chain guide, good on fuel and a good tow truck. The driveline isn't quite as strong as your GU though. If you can find the coin for a later one with traction control it will go 99% of places your GU would.

I wouldn't mention this in the patrol forum though.

Pat

[MikeG]

Stretch the budget as far as possible and go for the 3.2 DiD ( I did) . The one and only problem with mine that it's the wifes! Well she does have our 3 young sons to ferry around during the day. I get to drive a CE lancer to work every day. woo hoo

[BrisVegas]

I've got a 2.8 and I reckon it has similar performance to my mate's GU3 after driving both. ie. goes well enough to keep up with traffic etc. The Patrol is a fair bit heavier, which takes a bit of the sting out of the motor. I don't reckon I'd choose a 2.8 if you were towing all the time though. I reckon a tonne of camper would really slow it down. When I bought mine, 3.2 Pajeros were still $20k+ and I couldn't afford that. Might be some cheaper around now though.

Good luck in your search.

[likatiger]

Simple, go the 3.2.

[KEVMASH]

Thanks for all the replys . Think i will go for the 3.2. Will have to see if I can find one with at least some of the mods already done. Im in no great hurry so I can look around a bit.

Hi Pat
I know what you mean about the patrol forum, it was spending a lot of time reading on there that made me really nervous about the zd30.
It was reading about one a while back that went bang even after having all the nads (nissan anti detination system) done that made me stop and have a good think about it.
After reading this forum for a while I really think the Pajero is the way to go. I wish I had of read this forum a couple of years ago before I bought the Patrol. Well live and learn hey.
cheers
Kev

[Haydos]

Kev, I would have thought that if you sold the GU you could pick up a 3.2 Diesel NP Pajero and still have some coin left over for some goodies.

My inlaws have a 03 GU that went bang on their way back to Melbourne from Cairns. $13000 repair bill on top of the couple grand they spent less than 12 months earlier to rebuild the turbo. Althought the Paj may have a few issue, it is nothing like the Patrols.

[KEVMASH]

Hi haydos,
I feel for your inlaws. Thats a huge amount of dollars to come up with and nissan don't want to know about it. Unfortunatley it's a story you hear much to often with the zd30. It puts a big black mark on an otherwise great vehicle.
Did your inlaws keep the gu or palm it off as quick as they could?
Cheers
Kev

[onallfour]

I drive a 2008 patrol diesel for my work car with 190000km on it but NOT with the original engine or turbo. They went at about 140000km mark in a big cloud of smoke and pistom 4 had a hole in it. The patrols are way too troublesome and underpowered (118kw and about 350nm) and 2500kg+ is too much for them to push around. The pajero 3.2 wins by far on the power to weight ratio and in the comfort and options too.

[wongapaj]

I now drive a 3.2 NT coming from a 3.0 CRD GU and it's like driving a V8 in comparison. One test drive and I was sold!

[saj]

I drive a 2008 patrol diesel for my work car with 190000km on it but NOT with the original engine or turbo. They went at about 140000km mark in a big cloud of smoke and pistom 4 had a hole in it. The patrols are way too troublesome and underpowered (118kw) and 2500kg+ is too much for them to push around. The pajero 3.2 wins by far on the power to weight ratio and in the comfort and options too.

Isnt that the CRD model??

[Bundyk]

Hi Kev,

Dont know if this will help, but here it goes.

I have a 2001 NM V6 with 200,000km and my Father-in-Law has a 2002 NM 3.2Di-D with 280,000. Off the mark the V6 is a little quicker, but from a rolling start, i reckon the diesel would have me, it has so much torque compared to the V6. If you plan on towing i would say go the 3.2.

[saj]

I now drive a 3.2 NT coming from a 3.0 CRD GU and it's like driving a V8 in comparison. One test drive and I was sold!

I agree with ya on that one. My GU was a manual and a slug. I love the Auto
Paj. I'm very happy ..

[onallfour]

Isnt that the CRD model??

Yes it is CRD and manual. It is a real PIG. No wonder patrol rated poorly in Overlander 4WD of the year. Gutless and no options compared to competitors in my opinion. I do drive the DX poverty pack Patrol but im sure the poverty pack pajero would be better